Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Deep within the royal palace.

A tall pavilion is built by the water, with views of the imperial garden's blue waves from its windows.

On the table sits a bronze lion-shaped incense burner, from which wisps of blue smoke rise.

Master Yu Jin sat upright on the cloud bed, holding an ancient book in his hand, his expression gentle and peaceful.

A monk in a grey robe stood with his head bowed at the foot of the steps, reporting in a low voice:

"Reporting to the National Preceptor, as you instructed, six of the eight female cultivators have been found and are under strict supervision. They are all promising talents who have not lost their primordial yin and are just beginning their journey on the path of cultivation."

The remaining two have also been identified, and they should be found soon.

Master Yu Jin didn't lift his eyelids, only gave a soft "hmm," as if listening, or perhaps lost in thought.

His aura was harmonious and rounded, with the faint echo of a dragon's roar emanating from his breath, making him completely out of place in this mundane palace.

The gray-robed cultivator hesitated slightly, glancing at Jade Brocade True Person's expression before continuing:

"It's just that the Han family... seems to have received some subtle help from the Chixia Master of Qixia Temple in their early years."

Although the reason was unclear, the several worshippers, either out of concern or unwilling to get involved in the karma, all declined to come forward.

Furthermore, given Han Chengzong's unyielding attitude, and the fact that Qiu Gongfeng had previously volunteered to help the Master, saying he was willing to share the burden, he had already led his men there.

Master Yu Jin slowly put down his book, picked up a cup of warm tea, the clear green liquid reflecting in his seemingly calm and unwavering eyes.

"Crimson clouds?"

He took a small sip, his voice calm and unreadable, as if talking to himself:

"He is now barely able to take care of himself, secluded in seclusion, and Qixia Temple is deserted. How could he possibly have the leisure to look after a poor, destitute person?"

"Those people aren't afraid, they just don't want to get involved in this karma, right?"

The gray-robed monk's forehead was beaded with sweat, and he dared not respond.

Master Yu Jin put down his teacup and continued:

"Qiu Peng is very thoughtful. I will reward him when he returns."

The gray-robed cultivator understood, said no more, bowed, and quietly withdrew.

The pavilion returned to silence.

Only a wisp of smoke rose straight up from the incense burner, quietly dissipating as it touched the carved dome.

Master Yujin leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance, his eyes sweeping over the magnificent palace outside the window and landing on the Phoenix Palace with its flying eaves and brackets in the distance.

He hadn't been to the Queen's palace for a long time.

In recent days, he has been practicing the profound Dharma with the elegant and noble queen day and night, and has completely absorbed the dragon energy from her.

Now it's nothing more than a fading, lifeless shell.

This method is an incomplete secret technique that Master Yujin accidentally obtained in his early years. It allows him to steal hooks while being of a different kind.

It wasn't until he recently broke through to the Golden Core stage that he had some confidence to use his abilities. Although it wasn't the orthodox method, it was effective because it was done without anyone noticing.

Aolai Kingdom was already a small country, and it was further affected by the Ruoshui River, causing turmoil in the country and weakening the dragon's energy.

He has now easily devoured nearly half of it, doing so with utmost secrecy, like a silkworm eating leaves, silently and without a trace.

At this moment, the magnificent aura that originally belonged to human kingship was slowly circulating in his alchemy room.

By absorbing 50% of the dragon's energy and then using the [Mysterious Female Treasure Pill] refined over time to harmonize the conflict between the demonic power and the dragon's energy within the body, one can save a hundred years of arduous cultivation and steadily step into the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.

"A small country with few people, taking half is enough." Master Yujin smiled slightly.

He already had a plan in mind.

Aolai Kingdom was merely his first step.

This country is isolated in a corner of the world, its dragon aura is not at its peak, and its royal family is not a wise ruler, making it the most suitable place to strike.

He was always cautious in his actions, and planned to take only 50% of the dragon's energy from each country in the future.

A fraction of the dragon's energy—not too much, not too little—is just enough to cause a nation's fortune to slowly decline without causing immediate collapse, thus attracting the attention of truly powerful beings.

Only by flowing gently and steadily can it last.

With these thoughts in mind, he looked up to the south, his gaze seemingly having traversed thousands of mountains and rivers, landing on the Southern Continent.

I've heard that the Southern Continent is vast, with frequent changes in human dynasties, and its areas of peak dragon energy far surpass this small country in the East Sea.

Moreover, many powerful rulers emerged from this region.

If I have the opportunity in the future, I will travel there to find those kingdoms that are nearing the end of their reign but have not yet completely collapsed, and try to emulate them and gradually rebuild them.

Thinking of this.

A flash of undisguised fervor crossed Master Yujin's eyes, which was then quickly concealed by a gentle and peaceful demeanor.

Suddenly, I heard a faint noise behind me.

It was neither the sound of the wind nor the sound of human voices.

Instead, it was the clear, melodious sound of water flowing into the porcelain cup, which was exceptionally clear in this high-ceilinged room where you could hear a pin drop.

someone!

Master Yu Jin's aura suddenly froze, the color draining from his warm face by three-tenths, and an indescribable chill rose in his heart.

This high pavilion is his secluded cultivation retreat, with three layers of arrays around it. Not to mention mortals, even Foundation Establishment cultivators will trigger a warning if they get within ten feet.

Who could have sneaked into the heavily guarded Linglong Pavilion without a sound? And then calmly poured tea behind him, and who knows how long they had been there!

Master Yu Jin slowly turned around, his hand, hidden in his wide Taoist robe, already holding several precious talismans.

Beside the tea table that should have been empty, someone was now sitting upright.

The man was dressed in black, and he was holding a plain white porcelain teapot on the table. The tea in the cup was clear and blue, and the rising steam blurred the man's face.

He lowered his eyes and gently blew on the floating leaves in his cup.

His movements were unhurried, as if he were simply the host entertaining an unexpected guest.

The sunlight filtering through the window outlined his refined profile, his aura perfectly integrated with the spiritual energy flowing within the pavilion, without a trace leaking out.

Master Yu Jin's throat moved slightly as he forcefully suppressed the shock in his heart.

When his divine sense swept over the other party, he could not detect even the slightest fluctuation of spiritual power, as unfathomable as a deep pool or ancient well.

He steadied himself, managing to keep his voice calm and composed:

"When did you enter the pavilion, Your Excellency? I was completely unaware of it; how impolite of me."

The man poured the tea to seven-tenths full, put down the teapot, and gently pushed the rim of the cup with his fingertips, causing the cup to smoothly move to the other side of the table.

Only then did he raise his eyes to look at Yu Jin.

His pair of deep, crimson eyes were as dark as a dragon hidden in a lake, and his voice was calm and indifferent, yet it sent chills down Yu Jin Zhenren's spine.

"The tea is alright. How about the small fish?"

Master Yu Jin's pupils suddenly contracted.

The two words "little fish" seemed light and airy, yet they struck him like a thunderclap deep within his heart!

His true form is a white carp, a fact unknown even to his closest confidants!

Who is this person? How could they so easily see through his background?!

Master Yu Jin's heart was already in turmoil, his fingers tightly gripping the talisman in his sleeve, concealing his intentions.

A gentle smile slowly spread across his face, though the smile didn't reach his eyes:

"Your Excellency... just who are you? It is rather impolite of you to come uninvited."

The young man in black robes smiled slightly.

"I am Xuan Ling."

"The Flood Dragon Demon King!" Master Yu Jin was startled, his gentle aura instantly vanishing as he exclaimed in alarm.

Before he finished speaking, a powerful aura swept out, as if he intended to launch a sneak attack.

A golden-bearded white carp appeared behind his head, its surging dragon energy like thunder.

The carp's scales shimmered, and its golden whiskers spun like lightning, instantly filling the pavilion with a thick mist.

Inside the high pavilion, the fragrance of sandalwood suddenly condensed.

The clash of their energies felt like an eternity.

Master Yu Jin felt a sweet taste in his throat, and felt as if his body's energy was being suppressed by an ancient mountain, and even the talisman on his fingertip felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

It was as if a jet-black dragon was coiled in the sky, its crimson-gold vertical pupils looking down indifferently, its sharp claws already gripping a white carp that was struggling wildly.

Jade scales flew from the carp's body, and golden dragon whiskers trembled wildly.

next moment.

Master Yu Jin suddenly knelt down, and the jade brick beneath his knees shattered instantly.

Chen Jiao sat quietly at the table, sipping his spiritual tea without even stirring his robes.

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